How I named my blog
This is a little fun task created by Ruth of synch-ro-ni-zing She is interested in how people came up with the name for their blog. Quite a few bloggers will be posting their story today – 1.12.09. I guess I could be one of the first to post as I’m UK time. Anyway, here’s my entry.
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A bit higher….over to the left a bit….Ooooooh lovely….Down a bit…a bit more… Oh that’s right…. Now up a bit…. right a bit……. ohhhh, a tiny bit more……
My sisters and I would fulfil this duty on a regular basis. We enjoyed that little bit of one to one time with our mother. We were able to give her so much pleasure, with no real effort on our part and she loved it so much.
While watching television in the evening was usually the time I would hear the familiar “Scratch-backs?” My mother would be sitting there with a wide smile on her face. I would jump up and head over to her as she sat expectantly, leaning forward in readiness. Up and down, up and down, I would gently scratch her back following her instructions and giggling as I went. “You are like a little beetle running all over my back”, she laughingly said. “I think I’ll call you Beetle.”
She had pet names for all of us girls, but each for different reasons. Beetle remained my ‘Scratch-back’ name and 30 years on my mother still used it at times.
All these years later, and my mother no longer with us, I decided to create a family blog. It seemed like a nice touch to use the name ‘Beetle’, for mum. I called it ‘Beetle’s Blog’ I used an image of a large beetle then. Like a stag beetle, but an orange colour.
After a while I started to get readers other than family so I needed to re-think where my blog was heading. As I wrote about my memories of growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, and because I also rambled on about other stuff, I added ‘Memories ‘n’ Ramblings. I changed the beetle to a ladybird as I thought it more suitable for a female.
There you have it ‘Beetle’s Memories ‘n’ Ramblings’ Had I known how my blogging would pan out, I think I might have chosen something else, though I have no idea what.
Note: The lovely macro shot of the ladybird was taken by Jay of ‘thedeppeffect‘ and she very kindly allowed me to use it on my blog.
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Junk Drawer Kathy
| 1 December 2009 at 0:51
Oh, what a lovely story and a nice homage to your dear mum. I love this idea of blogging about how you chose your blog name. I should write one!
Junk Drawer Kathy´s last blog ..A What’s That Winner
granny grimble
| 1 December 2009 at 1:17
Mum never had a pet name for me (her eldest) at least not one I ever knew about. Do tell me if she did. It’s strange that my blog name also originated from Mum. I loved it, but now I really am a granny grimble I would like to change it, not possible though is it. I love that ladybird you use.Jay takes such beautiful macro shots of ‘creatures’ doesn’t she.
granny grimble´s last blog ..SINDIE AND THE CAVENDISH CENTRE
Comedy Plus
| 1 December 2009 at 1:48
I love this post. What a wonderful name your mother gave you. I shall always remember this post when I see you avatar here and there. Just lovely.
Have a terrific day. Big hug.
Comedy Plus´s last blog ..Awww…Mondays #41
Black Cat
| 1 December 2009 at 2:21
Lovely story and you must never change your blog name! I love it and always have.
Black Cat´s last blog ..Peace
Ruth
| 1 December 2009 at 2:31
Babs, I have chills, wait till you read my post.
You are the first I’ve seen of the participants! Yay, I love it.
So, when you read mine, you’ll see what I mean. Ahem.
Ruth´s last blog ..How I Named My Blog Day
JD at I Do Things
| 1 December 2009 at 2:32
Thank you for sharing that story! I always wondered where “Beetle” came from. What a cute nickname. And a perfect blog name, as well.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog ..I Go Moji so you don’t have to
Junk Drawer Kathy
| 1 December 2009 at 12:38
Thanks for the idea, Babs! I wrote a post about how Junk Drawer got its name. Hard to imagine it was going to be called Miscellanea.
Junk Drawer Kathy´s last blog ..How My Blog Got Its Name
Bella Rum
| 1 December 2009 at 16:04
Lovely story and a sweet homage to your Mum.
Bella Rum´s last blog ..How I Named My Blog
beetle
| 1 December 2009 at 18:16
Kathy: It was a name that was only used by mum, so it was special
Granny Grimble: Mum only gave us younger girls nicknames. I don’t know how it started but Tina and I both had ’scratch-back’ names. Tina’s was ‘Spider’.
Sandee: It’s one of the many things that make our memories in later life
Black cat: I won’t ever change it – honest
Ruth: I just checked your post. Fancy you posting a beetle! Yours is very similar to the one I had on my original ‘Blogger’ header
JD: Strange how nobody ever asks about our blog names. Well until Ruth did that is.
Kathy: I’m so glad you didn’t call it Miscellanea. Though I imagine. if you had. we would have liked it just the same.
Bella Rum: Thank you. I’m off to read yours now
Barb - WillThink4Wine
| 1 December 2009 at 20:12
How lovely. I’d always thought you simply had an affinity for ladybugs. Who knew?
I decided to play along!
Barb – WillThink4Wine´s last blog ..How my blog got its name
jeanie
| 1 December 2009 at 20:30
This is enchanting and it so resonates! We were a back-scratching family, too, and no one did it better than mom. My family nickname was “Deet” or “Deetle-El” which was my way of saying my real name until I learned pronunciation! So, this is extra fun! Thanks for stopping by The Marmelade Gypsy, too!
jeanie´s last blog ..How I Named My Blog Day — The Marmelade Gypsy
Linda Fraser
| 1 December 2009 at 21:44
I really enjoyed your story about how your blog got it’s name. How wonderful to connect it to your mom and what a lovely connection. The simple art of giving a little time and energy, remembered for a life time! Thank you for sharing this little bug. =D
Linda Fraser´s last blog ..HOW MY BLOG GOT IT’S NAME
Barry
| 1 December 2009 at 21:48
It’s surprising how many blog names evolved over time. I invented mine and it just stayed that way, while I was out exploring other things.
I found it very interesting how your name evolved and the connection with your mother’s pet name.
Barry´s last blog ..Mr. Toast’s Tea Party–And How I Named My Blog Day
Peter
| 1 December 2009 at 21:48
A wonderful story and a very nice name your mother gave you!
… and thanks to Ruth for bringing me here!
Peter´s last blog ..Blog names
beetle
| 1 December 2009 at 23:05
Barb: Well, I do love ladybirds, but that was an afterthought
Jeanie: Come to think of it, I haven’t had a back-scratch for years! I suppose that’s because I have the wooden hand on a stick
Linda: You’re so right. Those moments will never be forgotten
Barry: I suppose it’s because many bloggers started without knowing how their blogs were going to evolve. I certainly had no idea I would become a serious blogger.
Peter: I’m sorry but I have tried to access your blog three times. Each time my browser has crashed.
CottageGirl
| 2 December 2009 at 3:47
Dear Beetle,
Your story of back scratching brought back warm memories in my childhood home. I love that your mom had little nicknames for you, making each child special to her.
Lovely blog! Congratulations!
CottageGirl´s last blog ..How I Named My Blog – A Most Boring Explanation
Swubird
| 2 December 2009 at 20:20
babs:
My entry is short and rather dull. All I knew was that I wanted Swubird in my title. I’ve had that name since the early 1960’s, and it has a lot of heartfelt personal meaning to me. Well, one night I was sitting on the couch with my youngest daughter sitting next to me. I ask if she could think of anything that would go well with the name Swubird for my blog. She looked at me and said, “Swubird’s Nest.” My Queen immediately agreed, and that’s the whole story.
Happy trails.
Ivanhoe
| 3 December 2009 at 2:50
How sweet, Babs. I like the ladybug much better
Hugs to you and Mo from Ohio,
I.
Ivanhoe´s last blog ..Dear Sam
Jen
| 3 December 2009 at 17:35
What a lovely story. I love learning how people came up with their names for their blogs. Most I would have never guessed and usually they are all very personal and touching stories. I just liked the alliteration of my name.
Jen´s last blog ..Meet the Family
beetle
| 3 December 2009 at 20:43
CottageGirl: Yes, Writing this post brought warm feelings back to me also
Swubird: Ah, but what was the reason for the nickname ‘Swubird’?
Ivanhoe: I like the ladybird better too. We don’t see as many as we used to, and that’s a shame.
Jen: I must admit that there is something about the name of your blog that makes you take notice, so it was a good choice.
meleah rebeccah
| 4 December 2009 at 6:11
Oh WOW!! I loved this story! I am always fascinated to find out WHY/HOW people named their blogs!!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Random Updates
meleah rebeccah
| 4 December 2009 at 6:11
PS: And I think I will use this idea too!
beetle
| 4 December 2009 at 16:15
Meleah: Oh I’m very interested to know about your blog name. I’ll wait for the post
Maureen
| 9 December 2009 at 14:52
That’s such a great story Babs. Even your name is a great Memory! And I love Jay’s macro shot too. Perfect.
Maureen´s last blog ..Obviously I Don’t Share Well
beetle
| 9 December 2009 at 15:38
Maureen: I can still hear my mum calling me Beetle. Not so often that it lost it’s special meaning